Painting on Toys

Nirmal, the land of crafts and craftsmanship is located in the hills and forests of Adilabad District of Andhra Pradesh, occupied the most important place in the handcrafts map of the Sub Continent, India

The specialty of this craftsmanship is the utilization of simple articles, which are available in large quantity, where the simple material can be shaped into discriminating crafts and articles of utility. This is the expertness of Nirmal Craftsmen in wooden engravings which have been originated from 14th century onwards. They are manufactured endless articles like furniture, toys, plaques, bangles, jewellery boxes, screens or miniature paintings with the primary material of wood The craftsmen use indigenous mineral and vegetable dyes for colouring their products. They even produce gold covers from herbal extracts. Expermentation of colours resulted in many transformations.

It is learnt that when this craft first started it was limited in its range. The first articles were based on figures and episodes from mythology and were purely art objects. But the dawn of 17th century saw a new horizon of this art form. The local talent was exploited and articles of utility and decoration started to be manufactured.

Legend says that the Nizams of Hyderabad were very much inclined by the Nirmal craftsman ship.

Once during his visit to Nirmal The Nizam was given a tremendous grand welcome, all the craftsmen luxuriated themselves in decorating the venue; which included an elaborately designed banana bud whose petals were coloured gold. This embellishment was suspended above the Nizam's seat, which unfurled and showering flow of golden coloured petals on The Nizam. The SomaKshatriyas or the woodcarving received the royal patronage of the overwhelmed Nizam.

The articles are made up of locally available 'Ponki chekka' which is very light in weight and flexible and can be cut into desired shape and size depending upon the type and size of the toy to be made. Then various parts of toy are pasted together by specially prepared glue and coated with chinta lappam, which is prepared from saw dust and boiled tamarind seeds and coated with white clay, which smoothens any ridges and depressions if any in the toys. The toys are then dried and finally colored with brilliant hues. Mostly indigenously prepared hues are used for coloring the toys, very rare and occasional use of synthetic colors is done.

The making of the wall plaques or the artifacts slightly varies from that of making, toys. The wood, which is being used here, is teak, which is well finished on lathe before painting the predefined design. Then the plaque is sprayed with Duco paint in the desired background colour, the artist then paints the already determined design. The quality of paintings is very high with intricate designs ,rare artistry and skill giving rise to breath-taking beauty.

Keeping pace with the fast changing trends the Nirmal craftsmen have developed styles to suite the modern taste without moving away from tradition and intricacy of the art the items are contemporary in design.. Experimentation with colours has resulted in hues, which are very tasteful.

The Nirmal painting have been developed in Hyderabad for last few decades seasoned with teak, paints and varnish. The 'Nirmal Industry' has been growing ever since its inception in 1951 at Hyderabad, which developed Nirmal paintings, and handicrafts command the international market.

Nirmal Toys Industrial Cooperative Society Nirmal Toys Industrial Cooperative Society is situated on National Highway # 7, established in 1955 housing 60 artisans is the main toy making unit while the Hyderabad branch manufactures furniture and miniature paintings.

It is fact that No modern manufactured article can compete with questioningly handcrafted Nirmal artifacts. From time immemorial the craftsmen have stood like backbone to the society as well as to the civilization. Without their contribution a village or a city would be incomplete. Nirmal manufactured articles rightfully deserve to be glowing luminously.